Puan Suggests Indonesian National Cruise Ships To Be 'Transformed' Into Hospitals For COVID-19 Patients

Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asked the government to make a breakthrough in handling COVID-19. Given that a number of hospitals are starting to get overwhelmed with the surge in patients.

"What is needed now is an emergency or field hospital, patients with moderate and severe symptoms don't know where else to go because the hospitals are full", said Puan to reporters, Wednesday, July 7.

She suggested increasing the hospital's capacity by activating the Navy Hospital Ship or KRI DR Suharso. In addition, it could also be Indonesian National Cruise (Pelni) ships that can be 'conjured' or modified into emergency hospital ships.

“Build field hospitals, buildings that can be converted. But don't do business as usual, we have to act in an emergency work rhythm”, said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan assessed that the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic upstream had a number of notes that needed to be corrected and anticipated. For example, the availability of patient care rooms, the availability of oxygen and medicines, medical personnel and equipment, the implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), and the enforcement of strict, measurable, and indiscriminate rules.

In addition, she said, it is also necessary to strengthen public communication and socialization, so that people understand the dangers of the coronavirus and its handling.

"The problem of circulating hoaxes also makes people panic and this must also be prevented", said Puan.

Therefore, Puan appreciated all parties who worked together to make the Emergency PPKM successful in order to suppress the spread of COVID-19.

"Thank you to all health workers, the National Armed Forces (TNI-Polri), the community, and all stakeholders who have worked hard and contributed to the successful implementation of Emergency PPKM", said Puan.